About the Course
This foundational course – applicable to all vocational
paths, from community organizing to parish ministry to non-profit leadership to theological scholarship – explores tools, best practices, and multi-religious theologies for faith-rooted organizing for change. Paying close attention to the intersections of social issues, identities, and religious traditions, participants will draw lessons from a diversity of historical and contemporary social movements. Merging the pastoral with the practical, students will learn to articulate their unique faith-rooted organizing style and strategize on how to take concrete, spiritually grounded action in their own congregations and communities. This asynchronous, interactive, multi-faceted course combines multimedia, readings, class discussion, a praxis (action/reflection) component, and more, and is open to all.
Betty Jeanne Rueters-Ward
Betty Jeanne Rueters-Ward
Betty Jeanne Rueters-Ward’s Starr King journey began as a student, helping launch the school’s Master of Arts in Social Change program.
Betty Jeanne has served on the adjunct faculty since 2007 and the advising faculty since 2014. She teaches courses on organizational leadership, functional theology, community organizing, religious-secular coalition building, education/pedagogy, multigenerational ministry, and more.
Who Would Benefit From Taking This Course?
Anyone interested in faith based organizing, including lay leaders, congregants, and even practicing ministers who want to improve their social justice programs work. This course would be a perfect way for someone to explore whether a theological education (and Starr King in particular) is right for them.
Next Steps
As a prospective student exploring Starr King, you can take a class as a special student before you are fully enrolled. If you successfully complete the class and decide to enroll in one of our certificate or degree programs, this special student course will transfer. We also allow special students from the general population. Spots for special students are limited and on an as-available basis. To register for this course, click the button below.
